Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has formed an industrial chemicals group with a focus on dramatically increasing ADM’s presence in industrial markets. This business will leverage ADM’s processing expertise, fermentation and separation technologies and global distribution network to expand ADM’s product offerings in industrial chemicals by working to commercialize additional chemicals from renewable feedstocks.

The company is hoping to commercialize direct replacements for typically petroleum-derived chemicals. In the longer-term, it plans to develop new chemicals which provide increased functionality and are better for the environment.

The company has hired Janet Mann as general manager of industrial chemicals. Mann joins ADM from Chemtura Corp. where she was vice president and general manager of performance specialties. Mann previously served as business director for The Dow Chemical Company and executive vice president of Dow’s ANGUS Chemical subsidiary. For more information, visit, www.admworld.com.